NEPA_(Categorical_Exclusion_Form).pdf

GWMP 2(2) Page 1 of 4

Categorical Exclusion Form George Washington Memorial Parkway

Arlington County, Virginia

Project Number: GWMP 2(2) Date: February 21, 2018 Project Name: Stabilize Slope along GWMP between Spout Run and Windy Run Bridges to Improve Visitor Safety

PEPC ID: 74986

Project Description:

This project provides the design and construction phases for the stabilization of embankment movement along the northbound lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP), between the sprout Run Bridge and the Windy Run Bridge in Arlington county, Virginia (38.902369, -77.085061). The project provides materials, labor, and equipment for the installation of account 100 ground anchors (aka soil nails) to control/minimize future embankment slide movement along an approximately 280-foot length of slope adjacent to the northbound travel lanes of the GWMP. The project also includes traffic control, reconstruction of approximately a half mile length of pavement (i.e. mill and overlay), and the reconditioning of an existing ditch in the grass median. This area is situated between a cut slope and the west side and steep downhill slope on the ease, and the road is a 4-lane paved road with a grass should and a ditch located adjacent to the right and left lanes respectively. The slope is adjacent to the Potomac Heritage Trail and the Potomac River and is heavily vegetated with trees and brushes.

Installation of the ground anchors will occur from the right travel lane of the GWMP-north.

Vegetation, such as brush and small trees (,4-inch diameter) will be cleared from the work area to facilitate installation. No large trees will be removed as part of this project. The anchors, which range in length from 30 to 40 feet, will be installed in three rows on the 280-foot area.

The bearing plates on the end of the anchors will be slightly recessed into the slope to reduce with overall visibility from the trail below. Additionally, geo-textile matting will be placed over the plates to assist with the re-vegetation of the slope.

For ditch reconditioning, the ditch will be cleared and regraded to facilitate better drainage.

Afterwards, it will be lined with geo-textile matting to assist with the reestablishment of turf grass.

Staging will occur in the South Donaldson Run Overlook parking lot on existing paved surface.

The project is anticipated to take approximately 33 working days and will only take place during the evening hours. The Potomac Heritage Trail will be closed for the duration of the project as a safety precaution.

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Mitigation Measures:

There shall be a maintained buffer of at least 660 feet (200 meters) between project activities and the bald eagle nest (including active and alternate nests) unless a similar activity is closer than 660 feet, then you may maintain a distance buffer as close to the nest as the existing tolerated activity (see attached map).

All clearing, external construction, and landscaping activities must be restricted within 660 feet of the nest to outside the nesting season (i.e., outside the nesting season is from July through November). The nesting season in VA is from December 1 to June 30 (see attached map).

Maintain any established landscape buffers.

Trees slated for removal shall be flagged five days in advance to allow GWMP Natural Resources to conduct a field review. Ground anchors shall be placed to avoid any large trees or other landscape features.

Notify the Park Environmental Protection Specialist and Cultural Resource Specialist of any unexpected problems or any modifications to project implementation. Any decisions made in the field that result in greater impacts than anticipated by the proposed action must undergo additional environmental analysis.

A copy of a Traffic Management Plan shall be submitted to the appropriate NPS Maintenance and Public Information personnel for review and approval prior to the commencement of work activities. This plan shall address location of warning signs, type of signs, placement of flaggers, placement of cones/fencing, barricades, duration of work and anticipated delays, use of pilot cars, etc.

In the event unanticipated archeological resources are discovered during construction, work will halt until GWMP Cultural Resources Management is able to assess the impact and give clearance to proceed.

Care shall be taken not to physically impact either the roadway or the historic stone guardwall. If installation locations are close to these structures, recommend making use of appropriate protective measures.

Any park infrastructure impacted during construction, including but not limited to paved and unpaved roadways, walkways, turf, shall be restored to pre-construction conditions upon completion of the project.

Care shall be taken not to physically impact the roadway or historic stone guardwall.

Any disturbed areas (e.g., roadways, trails, turf) shall be restored to conditions equal to or better than before the start of the project.

In the event archeological resources are discovered during the project, work will immediately halt and GWMP Cultural Resources Management notified so the site/find can be examined prior to resuming work.

Category Used to Exclude the Action from Further NEPA Analysis:

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Environmental Team Leader Federal Highway Administration Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division

If applicable, include reference to the category of the partner’s NEPA implementing regulations for the categorical exclusion and a signature block.

Environmental Screening Form GWMP 2(2) Page 1 of 2

Appendix A: Environmental Screening Form

Water and Wetlands:

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act Impacts to Waters of the US: Yes No If Yes, approval anticipated:

Nationwide Permit Regional General Permit Individual Permit Section 401 of the Clean Water Act

NWP certified by State Individual Certification Section 402 of the Clean Water Act (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Disturbance Threshold Exceeded, Permit Required?

Yes No Is Stormwater Management Review/Approval anticipated?

Yes No Project is consistent with Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands

Floodplains:

Project is consistent with Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management

Section 4(f) of the USDOT Act:

Meets Section 4(f) exemption for Federal lands transportation facilities under Section 1119(c)(2) of MAP-21, U.S.C. 138(a)?

Yes No Is there a Section 4(f) property in the study area?

Yes No If Yes, continue:

De Minimis Finding:

Programmatic: _______________________________ Individual 4(f):

Section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund:

Was the property purchased with grant funds from the Land and Water Conservation Fund?

Yes No If Yes, was documentation of approval from National Park Service Director received for the conversion or replacement of 6(f) property? Yes No

Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972:

Not in Coastal Zone Concurrence with Federal Consistency Determination

Right of Way:

Project is completely within Federal right-of-way Project involves relocations or easements Number of Easements________ Number of Relocations________

Hazardous Waste and Materials:

Area hazardous materials or contamination exceeding regulatory thresholds (as set by U.S.

EPA, County Environmental Health, etc.) present? Yes No

Environmental Screening Form GWMP 2(2) Page 2 of 2

If Yes, is the nature and extent of the hazardous materials or contamination fully known?

If No, briefly discuss the plan for securing information:

Section 7(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act:

Are there Wild and Scenic Rivers? Yes No If Yes, review by river-administering agency is required.

Clean Air Act:

Is the project in a non-attainment area? Yes No If Yes, is the project on the TIP/SIP? Yes No

Highway Traffic and Construction Noise Regulations:

The proposed project is a Type I project (highway on a new location, substantial horizontal or vertical alteration, new through or auxiliary lanes). Noise analysis is required.

The proposed project is a Type II project (retrofit for noise abatement).

The proposed project is a Type III project (noise analysis not required).

Environmental Justice and Title IV Act:

Is an Environmental Justice population, as identified in Executive Order 12898, present?

Yes No If Yes, briefly explain:

Will the project induce disproportionately high and adverse impacts to minority, low income or special groups? Yes No If Yes, briefly explain:

Farmland Protection Policy Act for Highway Projects:

Does the project displace, require acquisition of, or require an easement from farmland?

Yes No

Does the project affect any additional resources? If Yes, explain below:

Categorical Exclusion Category Page 1 of 4

GWMP 2(2)

Appendix B: 23 CFR 771.117 FHWA Categorical Exclusions

(c) The following actions meet the criteria for CEs in the CEQ regulations (40 CFR 1508.4) and §771.117(a) and normally do not require any further NEPA approvals by the FHWA:

(1) Activities which do not involve or lead directly to construction, such as planning and research activities; grants for training; engineering to define the elements of a proposed action or alternatives so that social, economic, and environmental effects can be assessed; and Federal-aid system revisions which establish classes of highways on the Federal-aid highway system.

(2) Approval of utility installations along or across a transportation facility.

(3) Construction of bicycle and pedestrian lanes, paths, and facilities.

(4) Activities included in the State's highway safety plan under 23 U.S.C. 402.

(5) Transfer of Federal lands pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 107(d) and/or 23 U.S.C. 317 when the land transfer is in support of an action that is not otherwise subject to FHWA review under NEPA.

(6) The installation of noise barriers or alterations to existing publicly owned buildings to provide for noise reduction.

(7) Landscaping.

(8) Installation of fencing, signs, pavement markings, small passenger shelters, traffic signals, and railroad warning devices where no substantial land acquisition or traffic disruption will occur.

(9) The following actions for transportation facilities damaged by an incident resulting in an emergency declared by the Governor of the State and concurred in by the Secretary, or a disaster or emergency declared by the President pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5121):

(i) Emergency repairs under 23 U.S.C. 125; and

(ii) The repair, reconstruction, restoration, retrofitting, or replacement of any road, highway, bridge, tunnel, or transit facility (such as a ferry dock or bus transfer station), including ancillary transportation facilities (such as pedestrian/bicycle paths and bike lanes), that is in operation or under construction when damaged and the action:

(A) Occurs within the existing right-of-way and in a manner that substantially conforms to the preexisting design, function, and location as the original (which may include upgrades to meet existing codes and standards as well as upgrades warranted to address conditions that have changed since the original construction); and

(B) Is commenced within a 2-year period beginning on the date of the declaration.

(10) Acquisition of scenic easements.

(11) Determination of payback under 23 U.S.C. 156 for property previously acquired with

Federal-aid participation.

(12) Improvements to existing rest areas and truck weigh stations.

(13) Ridesharing activities.

(14) Bus and rail car rehabilitation.

(15) Alterations to facilities or vehicles in order to make them accessible for elderly and handicapped persons.

(16) Program administration, technical assistance activities, and operating assistance to transit authorities to continue existing service or increase service to meet routine changes in demand.

(17) The purchase of vehicles by the applicant where the use of these vehicles can be accommodated by existing facilities or by new facilities which themselves are within a CE.

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(18) Track and railbed maintenance and improvements when carried out within the existing right-of-way.

(19) Purchase and installation of operating or maintenance equipment to be located within the transit facility and with no significant impacts off the site.

(20) Promulgation of rules, regulations, and directives.

(21) Deployment of electronics, photonics, communications, or information processing used singly or in combination, or as components of a fully integrated system, to improve the efficiency or safety of a surface transportation system or to enhance security or passenger convenience.

Examples include, but are not limited to, traffic control and detector devices, lane management systems, electronic payment equipment, automatic vehicle locaters, automated passenger counters, computer-aided dispatching systems, radio communications systems, dynamic message signs, and security equipment including surveillance and detection cameras on roadways and in transit facilities and on buses.

(22) Projects, as defined in 23 U.S.C. 101, that would take place entirely within the existing operational right-of-way. Existing operational right-of-way refers to right-of-way that has been disturbed for an existing transportation facility or is maintained for a transportation purpose. This area includes the features associated with the physical footprint of the transportation facility (including the roadway, bridges, interchanges, culverts, drainage, fixed guideways, mitigation areas, etc.) and other areas maintained for transportation purposes such as clear zone, traffic control signage, landscaping, any rest areas with direct access to a controlled access highway, areas maintained for safety and security of a transportation facility, parking facilities with direct access to an existing transportation facility, transit power substations, transit venting structures, and transit maintenance facilities. Portions of the right-of-way that have not been disturbed or that are not maintained for transportation purposes are not in the existing operational right-of-way.

(23) Federally-funded projects:

(i) That receive less than $5,000,000 of Federal funds; or

(ii) With a total estimated cost of not more than $30,000,000 and Federal funds comprising less than 15 percent of the total estimated project cost.

(24) Localized geotechnical and other investigation to provide information for preliminary design and for environmental analyses and permitting purposes, such as drilling test bores for soil sampling; archeological investigations for archeology resources assessment or similar survey; and wetland surveys.

(25) Environmental restoration and pollution abatement actions to minimize or mitigate the impacts of any existing transportation facility (including retrofitting and construction of stormwater treatment systems to meet Federal and State requirements under sections 401 and 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1341; 1342)) carried out to address water pollution or environmental degradation.

(26) Modernization of a highway by resurfacing, restoration, rehabilitation, reconstruction, adding shoulders, or adding auxiliary lanes (including parking, weaving, turning, and climbing lanes), if the action meets the constraints in paragraph (e) of this section.

(27) Highway safety or traffic operations improvement projects, including the installation of ramp metering control devices and lighting, if the project meets the constraints in paragraph (e) of this section.

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(28) Bridge rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement or the construction of grade separation to replace existing at-grade railroad crossings, if the actions meet the constraints in paragraph (e) of this section.

(29) Purchase, construction, replacement, or rehabilitation of ferry vessels (including improvements to ferry vessel safety, navigation, and security systems) that would not require a change in the function of the ferry terminals and can be accommodated by existing facilities or by new facilities which themselves are within a CE.

(30) Rehabilitation or reconstruction of existing ferry facilities that occupy substantially the same geographic footprint, do not result in a change in their functional use, and do not result in a substantial increase in the existing facility's capacity. Example actions include work on pedestrian and vehicle transfer structures and associated utilities, buildings, and terminals.

(d) Additional actions which meet the criteria for a CE in the CEQ regulations (40 CFR 1508.4) and paragraph (a) of this section may be designated as CEs only after Administration approval unless otherwise authorized under an executed agreement pursuant to paragraph (g) of this section. The applicant shall submit documentation which demonstrates that the specific conditions or criteria for these CEs are satisfied and that significant environmental effects will not result. Examples of such actions include but are not limited to:

(1)-(3) [Reserved]

(4) Transportation corridor fringe parking facilities.

(5) Construction of new truck weigh stations or rest areas.

(6) Approvals for disposal of excess right-of-way or for joint or limited use of right-of-way, where the proposed use does not have significant adverse impacts.

(7) Approvals for changes in access control.

(8) Construction of new bus storage and maintenance facilities in areas used predominantly for industrial or transportation purposes where such construction is not inconsistent with existing zoning and located on or near a street with adequate capacity to handle anticipated bus and support vehicle traffic.

(9) Rehabilitation or reconstruction of existing rail and bus buildings and ancillary facilities where only minor amounts of additional land are required and there is not a substantial increase in the number of users.

(10) Construction of bus transfer facilities (an open area consisting of passenger shelters, boarding areas, kiosks and related street improvements) when located in a commercial area or other high activity center in which there is adequate street capacity for projected bus traffic.

(11) Construction of rail storage and maintenance facilities in areas used predominantly for industrial or transportation purposes where such construction is not inconsistent with existing zoning and where there is no significant noise impact on the surrounding community.

(12) Acquisition of land for hardship or protective purposes. Hardship and protective buying will be permitted only for a particular parcel or a limited number of parcels. These types of land acquisition qualify for a CE only where the acquisition will not limit the evaluation of alternatives, including shifts in alignment for planned construction projects, which may be required in the NEPA process. No project development on such land may proceed until the NEPA process has been completed.

(i) Hardship acquisition is early acquisition of property by the applicant at the property owner's request to alleviate particular hardship to the owner, in contrast to others, because of an inability

Categorical Exclusion Category Page 4 of 4 to sell his property. This is justified when the property owner can document on the basis of health, safety or financial reasons that remaining in the property poses an undue hardship compared to others.

(ii) Protective acquisition is done to prevent imminent development of a parcel which may be needed for a proposed transportation corridor or site. Documentation must clearly demonstrate that development of the land would preclude future transportation use and that such development is imminent. Advance acquisition is not permitted for the sole purpose of reducing the cost of property for a proposed project.

(13) Actions described in paragraphs (c)(26), (c)(27), and (c)(28) of this section that do not meet the constraints in paragraph (e) of this section.

(e) Actions described in (c)(26), (c)(27), and (c)(28) of this section may not be processed as CEs under paragraph (c) if they involve:

(1) An acquisition of more than a minor amount of right-of-way or that would result in any residential or non-residential displacements.

Yes No

(2) An action that needs a bridge permit from the U.S. Coast Guard, or an action that does not meet the terms and conditions of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers nationwide or general permit under section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899.

Yes No

(3) A finding of “adverse effect” to historic properties under the National Historic Preservation Act, the use of a resource protected under 23 U.S.C. 138 or 49 U.S.C. 303 (section 4(f)) except for actions resulting in de minimis impacts, or a finding of “may affect, likely to adversely affect” threatened or endangered species or critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act.

Yes No

(4) Construction of temporary access, or the closure of existing road, bridge, or ramps, that would result in major traffic disruptions.

Yes No

(5) Changes in access control.

Yes No

(6) A floodplain encroachment other than functionally dependent uses (e.g., bridges, wetlands) or actions that facilitate open space use (e.g., recreational trails, bicycle and pedestrian paths); or construction activities in, across or adjacent to a river component designated or proposed for inclusion in the National System of Wild and Scenic Rivers.

Yes No

Letter of Compliance Completion - Stabilize Slope along GWMP between Spout Run and Windy Run Bridges to Improve Visitor Safety - PEPC ID: 74986

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

George Washington Memorial Parkway Date: 02/05/2018

Letter of Compliance Completion

Memorandum

To: Civil Engineer, NPS-GWMP

From: Cultural Resource Specialist, NPS-GWMP

Subject: NEPA and NHPA Clearance: Stabilize Slope along GWMP between Spout Run and Windy Run Bridges to Improve Visitor Safety (74986)

The NPS-GWMP Division of Resource Management has reviewed the proposed project/action and completed its environmental assessment documentation, and we have determined that there:

Will not be any effect on threatened, endangered, or rare species and/or their critical habitat.

Will not be any effect on historical, cultural, or archeological resources.

Will not be serious or long-term undesirable environmental or visual effects.

The subject proposed project/action(s), therefore, is/are now cleared for all NEPA and NHPA compliance requirements as presented above. Project plans and specifications are approved and construction and/or project implementation can commence.

For the proposed project actions to be within compliance requirements during construction and/or project implementation, the following mitigations must be adhered to:

Trees slated for removal shall be flagged five days in advance to allow GWMP Natural Resources to conduct a field review. Ground anchors shall be placed to avoid any large trees or other landscape features.

Notify the Park Environmental Protection Specialist and Cultural Resource Specialist of any unexpected problems or any modifications to project implementation. Any decisions made in the field that result in greater impacts than anticipated by the proposed action must undergo additional environmental analysis.

A copy of a Traffic Management Plan shall be submitted to the appropriate NPS Maintenance and Public Information personnel for review and approval prior to the commencement of work activities. This plan shall address location of warning signs, type of signs, placement of flaggers, placement of cones/fencing, barricades, duration of work and anticipated delays, use of pilot cars, etc.

In the event unanticipated archeological resources are discovered during construction, work will halt until GWMP Cultural Resources Management is able to assess the impact and give clearance to proceed.

Care shall be taken not to physically impact either the roadway or the historic stone guardwall. If installation locations are close to these structures, recommend making use of appropriate protective measures.

Letter of Compliance Completion - Stabilize Slope along GWMP between Spout Run and Windy Run Bridges to Improve Visitor Safety - PEPC ID: 74986

Any park infrastructure impacted during construction, including but not limited to paved and unpaved roadways, walkways, turf, shall be restored to pre-construction conditions upon completion of the project.

Recommendations for Conditions or Stipulations:

Please see "Conditions and Stipulations" in Section B and the "Mitigations/Treatment Measures" in Section C.5 of the Assessment of Effect form.

For complete compliance information see PEPC Project 74986.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Bradley A. Krueger, MA, RPA Cultural Resource Specialist

National Park Service George Washington Memorial Parkway c/o Turkey Run Park 700 George Washington Memorial Parkway McLean, VA 22101 703-289-2509 - direct 202-438-6641 - cell bradley_krueger@nps.gov